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HENRY II

Born 1132. Began to Reign Dec. 8, 1154. Died July 6 1189. Reigned 34 Years.

Was son of the Earl of Anjou, and Matilda, daughter of Hénry I. On ascending the throne, Henry soon gave evident signs of his wisdom and power, incorrecting those abuses, which from the weakness of his predecessors, had always been a great source of complaint. The struggles which in former times had been betwixt the king and barons, or the clergy, began now to assume a new appearance; and liberty was more equally spread throughout the nation. Thomas a' Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury, was murdered before the altar of St. Benedict at Canterbury, by some of the attendants at Henry's court. When Henry heard of this, in order to turn the attention of the people to a different object, he subdued Ireland, and annexed it to his British dominions. Henry died of a broken heart, aged 57.

Eminent in the reign:-- A Becket, Richard, and Baldwin, Archbishops of Canterbury: Strongbow Earl of Pembroke.